Amadeus-Gold

On Feb 12, 2026, the first hearing was held at the Disciplinary Board in Amsterdam regarding the grounding of the 'Amadeus Gold' in the Odensefjord on Dec 9, 2024. The Dutch captain was accused of failing to properly prepare for the voyage of the vessel, which allowed the accident to occur. The captain was present via live video link from Curaçao to tell his story. The ship was moored in Rotterdam, loaded with steel plates and destined to the port of Odense. The captain had flown in from Miami. Upon arrival in Rotterdam, he reported being very tired from the journey. As a result, the handover by the previous captain was not optimal. Once on the ship, it became clear to him that the officers on board had little to no knowledge of the ship. During bunkering, the helmsman didn't even know where the connecting hoses were located. The captain decided to remain moored until an engineer could be brought on board. This finally happened after much insistence from the shipping company. Besides the crew problem, there was also a problem with the route and navigation charts. The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) did not have the correct charts for the area. As a result, the captain was largely reliant on the light lines outside. The 2nd mate was called up but did not respond. There was no lookout on the bridge. There was also no pilot on board because the captain himself had been in the area several times. He was therefore on his own on the bridge. On Dec 9 at approximately 1:30 a.m., after seeing a red buoy on the starboard side, the captain became disoriented and was unable to prevent the ship from running agrounda t a speed of approximately six knots. Only after five days was the 'Amadeus Gold' towed to the port of Odense. After an inspection on site and inside the port, the damage turned out to be minor. When asked why the captain ignored several red flags and continued sailing, he replied that "he is a proud man who likes to do what he promises." He admitted to making some wrong decisions but also pointed out the role of the shipping company. A day before the accident, the captain had sent them a message requesting that he be taken off the ship due to fatigue and incompetent crew. The 'Amadeus Gold' belongs to the Dutch shipping company De Bock Maritiem. The Alkmaar-based company operates primarily in coastal and inland waters. The hearing focused on the question of the captain's responsibility. The shipping company was not present. The verdict will be delivered on March 27.

After several unsuccessful attempts, the 'Amadeus Gold' was successfully pulled free from the botteom in the Odense Fjord on the evening of Dec 12. The ship has been berthed at the Lindø Terminal at around 10 p.m., where it was to be thoroughly examined before it can be given permission to sail further. Several vessels from J. A. Shipping were involved in the salvage operation, which was completed at 9 p.m. The anti pollution ship 'Mette Miljø' was on standby at all times, but leftthe Odense Fjord on the morning of Dec 13.

The crane ship 'Sanne A' (IMO: 8749602) has left the port of Nyborg on Dec 11 en route to the Odense Fjord. The ship has been tasked to unload part of the cargo of steel of the 'Amadeus Gold', which has still been firmly stuck off Odense on Dec 12. After lightering the ship, another salvage attempt is to be undertaken. The 'Sanne A' arrived on scene on the evening of that day.

The 'Amadeus Gold' is to be lightered before another salvage attempt taes place.The cargo consists of heavy steel plates, and some of these must be removed in order to be able to pull theship off the ground. Once the ship has been refloated, the 'Amadeus Gold', which got stuck one hour ahead of its arrival in Odense, first will have to undergo a thorough examination of the hull before it is given permission to sail further.